Suguri Switches Coaches

I don't read Japanese, and I don't know if the article says anything about this being her idea or the idea of the Japanese Federation, but I think it's ironic that the Japanese Ladies' program has as much depth as any other country, yet the top skaters have left Japan to train in the US with non-Japanese coaches. Maybe it's getting a little overwhelming among the top coaches in Japan, having all of that talent in one place.

I know a lot of people will object to this, but in my opinion, in the two competitions in which I've seen her skate live (Worlds 2003-4), Suguri's fast and furious cross-overs, expecially at the beginning of the program, are not particularly smooth and that she loses a lot of speed in the middle of her program until the very end, when she picks up into fast footwork into a very fast ending spin. I also think her "dancing" in all four programs was awkward, and that, particularly in Dortmund, she didn't have the authority, edges, or flow over the ice that any of the skaters in the top six or Rochette or Poykio had. Even Kostner, in a terrible LP performance, had more natural flow and ease. To me, she looked like a 7-12th rank skater, not a returning bronze medallist.

I think this will be a great move for her, if Vassiliev can smooth out her stroking and her transitions and help her to maintain power and speed throughout her program.

Since Fumie has wonderful basic skating skills, and she is working on her presentation, I think it is a a good move. Didn't Yuka left Japan to train in Canada for a while?

I know a lot of people will object to this,

Diagree, not object.

in the two competitions in which I've seen her skate live (Worlds 2003-4), Suguri's fast and furious cross-overs, expecially at the beginning of the program, are not particularly smooth and that she loses a lot of speed in the middle of her program until the very end, when she picks up into fast footwork into a very fast ending spin.

I didn't see her life at 04, but in 03 I fell in love with her basic skating skills and edges etc. I won't call it fast and furious, but nice speed and with control. LOL, even though I watched her life in 03, it has been a while, I have to review the tapes. I was very much in love with her Chopin piano concerto #2 sp. She did not impress me as losing speed , actually she is one of the few skaters who seem to be able to generate speed and power out of no where. I have to see if the music tempo slowed down in the middle of the program or not. As usual I was in awe of Lori's music editing skills with that piece.

Dortmund, she didn't have the authority, edges, or flow over the ice that any of the skaters in the top six or Rochette or Poykio had. Even Kostner, in a terrible LP performance, had more natural flow and ease.

I wasn't there, I guess speed and flow varies, but Fumie lack edges? One of Kostner's strengths is her flow, edges and speed, she probably can out speed, flow and edge e.g Cohen any day. Kostner's FI/FO spiral has a deep inside edge.

She does not look like a returning bronze medalist

I think Fumie should learn how to peak in the appropriate event. She kicked everyone's butt at GPF, she is capable of doing well.

I think this will be a great move for her, if Vassiliev can smooth out her stroking and her transitions and help her to maintain power and speed throughout her program.

I think Fumie has wonderful stroking, power, and speed, but since no one is perfect of course she can improve.

Extremely odd choice. IMHO Vasiliev did nothing for Volchkova's skating (though I am aware that this may be due to Vika's personal problems rather than coaching). Even in regards to Totmianina & Marinin -- while they have certainly improved over the last few years, I think this is mainly due to their "natural evolution", as well as good choreographers they've been working with.

I think she should make coach change to get enough attention, but I don't think she moved to the right direction. Vasiliev did not do much for Victoria Vochkova, and the pair he coached for the past two years are always looked strange to me. As a matter of fact I never like T&M's skating.
Hope Suguri find a great coaching situation. She is a very nice lady.

I hope this turns out well for Fumie. She seems to have the potential to be wonderfully versatile. I think we should wait and see. It sounds like Vasiliyev is a bit of a mystery. Perhaps he will be just what Fumie needs. As for Fumie vs. Carolina.....sorry, for me, there isn't even a question: FUMIE! Carolina is usually overmarked, IMHO. I know she has great speed, edging, etc., but she seriously needs to work on refining her presentation. I find most of her performances awkward and uninteresting.

Wow! This thread seriuosly shocked me. I'm a huge FUmie Suguri fan so I haven't decided what I think. But I'm leaning towards change might be the right thing for her. Her basic skating is fantastic and she's got a lot of talent. When she's on, she does very well. I don't agree about yor comments regarding her speed, but everyone seems to have varying opinions when it comes to FUmie. I hope that she has an incredible comeback season.

Wow! This thread seriuosly shocked me. I'm a huge FUmie Suguri fan so I haven't decided what I think. But I'm leaning towards change might be the right thing for her. Her basic skating is fantastic and she's got a lot of talent. When she's on, she does very well. I don't agree about yor comments regarding her speed, but everyone seems to have varying opinions when it comes to FUmie. I hope that she has an incredible comeback season.

I think Fumi is a beautiful, lyrical skater, with great musical interpretation. When her jumps are on, she's one of the best; however, she's had problems with consistency, so a coaching change may be a great move for her. I would imagine that she might feel over-pressured living and training in Japan, and a change of scenery - not to mention country - might be what she needs to relax and concentrate on her skating.

Actually, I would love to see her train with Frank Carroll of Kristy Ness, as both of those coaches have certainly proved their ability to train champion skaters.

Vasiliev seems like a oddball coaching choice to me, but I'm sure Fumi has good reasons for making this choice.